A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video survey was conducted at the NE Saglek Bank location, at a depth of ~1000 m in July 2018. The main objectives of this dive were to survey epifauna at 1000 m off of the bank and to collect corals, sponges, and other large epifauna from this depth zone. This dive was aborted due to twisting of cable wire and tension which caused video to fail repeatedly. Dive ended at 982 m.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video survey was conducted at the Saglek Bank location, at a depth of ~500 m in July 2018. The primary purpose of this ROV dive was the geological and biological site characterization across depths, and sampling of dead coral skeletons, live corals for stable isotopes and lipids, and sponges for stable isotopes. Bottom type was mainly sandy gravelly bottom. Small sponges and soft corals (Family Nephtheidae) were abundant at this site (probably Geodia spp.). Other corals observed include red mushroom corals (Family Alcyoniidae, likely Anthomastus sp.), Primnoa resedaeformis (live and dead – skeletons). Primnoa resedaeformis colonies were mostly small, and abundant at certain parts of the dive. No sampling was possible during this dive due to a mix of strong currents and ROV issues.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video survey was conducted at the Saglek Bank location, at a depth of ~750 m in July 2018. The main objectives of this dive were to video-survey coral and sponge fauna on ridge at 750 m depth, and to collect coral and sponge samples. Bottom type was mainly sandy and gravel, with boulders in some parts of the transect. Corals include the solitary scleractinian Flabellum sp., soft corals (Nephtheidae), mushroom soft corals (probably Anthomastus sp.), sea pens Anthoptilum (erect and also lying on sea floor) and Halipteris finmarchica on sandy gravel bottom. Dead sea pen skeletons were also observed. Sponges include Asconema sp., Geodia sp., encrusting blue sponges (Hymedesmia sp.), and some unidentified fan-shape sponges. Among fish, we observed redfish (Sebastes spp.), small grenadiers (Family Macrouridae), and small (likely juvenile) skates (Family Rajidae). Other invertebrates include unidentified squat lobsters, sea anemones, and crabs.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video survey was conducted at the Saglek Bank location, at a depth of ~550 m in July 2018. The primary purpose of this ROV dive was to verify whether the location was suitable for the deployment of a lander (ATLAS project). Another objective was the geological and biological site characterization across depths, and sampling of dead coral skeletons, live corals for stable isotopes and lipids, and sponges for stable isotopes. The location was considered suitable for the deployment of a lander (i.e. rocks scarce on the bottom), but problems with the ROV refrained sample collection.